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Tag: Ondo state

  • Ondo: 110,000 pupils to benefit from Home Grown School Programme

    The Ondo State Government says over 110, 000 pupils will benefit from the Home Grown School Feeding Programme which took off on Monday.

    Mrs Olubunmi Ademosun, Special Adviser to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Multilateral and Inter Governmental Affairs, made the disclosure in an interview with the newsmen on Tuesday in Akure.

    She revealed that 1,500 cooks had been mobilised across the 18 local government areas of the state for the programme.

    “Environmentalists have also been trained and mobilised to ensure that the food are prepared in hygienic way.

    “110,000 Primary 1-3 pupils across the three senatorial districts of the state will enjoy the free daily feeding.

    Read Also: Ondo: Abraham’s men allege threat to life

    “I must commend President Buhari for this initiative that will not only alleviate the burden of parents, but also increase the nutritional status of children.

    “We pledge one hundred percent support for the success of this programme,” the governor’s aide said.

    Ademosun assured that all government machinery have been mobilised to ensure the success of the programme.

    The newsmen reports that a technical team from the Office of Vice President Yemi Osibajo had held a two-day strategic stakeholders’ meeting on the project in June 2017, preparatory to its take off in the state.

    NAN

  • ‘We are committed to Southwest integration agenda’

    Ondo State government has expressed its commitment to the implementation of South west agenda on regional integration.

    The commissioner for regional integration and special duties, Prof. Bayonile Ademodi spoke on Monday while declaring open a workshop on the implementation of Southwest programme document on service delivery held in Akure, the state capital

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dele Ogunwolere, an Engineer, the commissioner said participants at the event were drawn from all relevant ministries, Department and Agencies, (MDA’s) on the development and implementation plan for Ondo State on the south west documentation plan for service delivery.

    According to him, the workshop was organized by the ministry in collaboration with the Development Agenda for the Western Nigeria Commission, (DAWN) as part of South west agenda to enhance development in the region.

    Ademodi pointed out that the programme was to equally sensitise the workforce on the need to ensure reform in the public sector to enhance service delivery and kick-start the implementation of the south west agenda.

    He said the ministry which was created by the present administration in the state has key in to the agenda of DAWN commission for rapid integration and development of the state in south western part of the country.

    The Commissioner stressed that the ministry has been sensitising various sector to ensure they understand the agenda.

    Ademodi said the ministry had earlier sensitised top government officials and political holders  late last year on the agenda of regional integration.

    To this end,he charged the participants to avail themselves the opportunity of being more informed and educated on western regional integration  so as to facilitate the programme in the state.

    The Director, Regional Integration in the ministry, Pastor Edmond Akintunde who gave overview of the ministry affirmed that each region have shared tradition, history, language among others, stressing the  need to unite and speak with one voice to achieve development.

    He said the state government would leverage on the south west programme document for it to be properly facilitated.

    Akintunde said the programme was organised as a guide to develop implementation plan in each state to improve service delivery

    He affirmed that all critical MDA’s in the state are to look at the document at the event  and develop sectorial plan on how it relates with them.

    According to him, participants are to review the document together for the  state effective ways of implementation.

    The Director said the ministry’s mandate is to be the coordinating hub and oversees all activities of regional groups and organisation to improve public service delivery

    The DAWN commission representatives at the event who are the facilitators took the participants through what the commission is all about to key into the laid down objectives of regional integration in the southwest.

  • Banks resumes in Akoko after robbery scare.

    Banking activities returned in Ikare -Akoko, Ondo State on Tuesday after rumours that robbers invaded the town on Monday which forced operators to hurriedly shut down.

    However, many banks did not open at the normal 8am, making many customers thought that they will not open for business transaction began after 10 00 am.

    Police in Ikare-Akoko assured people of their safety, urging them to continue with their normal business.

    The Area Commander for Akoko, Assistant Commisiner of Police(ACP) Abdurazak Abdulrauf said series of  meetings and consultations on security in banking sectors were going on.

    He urged the public particularly the hoteliers to always screen their lodgers.

    Abdulrauf commended the Police Community Relations Commitee(PCRC) in Akoko area for the robust cooperation between them and the police, adding that it is  the responsibility of all and sundry to get rid of criminals and make society free of crimes .

    The Area Commander hailed the Commissioner of Police(CP)in the state,Gbenga Adeyanju  for his prompt actions to security matter.

  • ‘Save us from ‘Cannabis Cultivators’ in Ondo’

    Timber farmers in Ondo state have accused some government officials  of aiding Indian hemp cultivation.

    A petition written to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu through one of the victims, Mrs Adenike Adeolu, who was allocated Compartment 124 Akure/Ofosu Forest Reserve, alleged that some government officials were bent on destroying her business.

    It was learnt that already, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)Zone 11,Osogbo and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) had sent an investigative team to know the veracity of the allegation.

    Adeolu, said to have been in the business legally for more than 22 years, hinted that some persons (names withheld) were arrested in 2014 and made to sign an undertaking to stop Indian hemp plantation in the reserves.

    Besides, she petitioned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ondo State command, and reporting one Mrs Funmilayo Fayeun of planting and harvesting the illicit substance on her compartment.

    She pointed out that some government functionaries that called themselves “Commissioner boys,” guarded by security agents, often raid the forest to destroy and extort the farmers, collecting huge amount of money from them.

    According to her “These people storm the reserves and get as much as N500, 000 from the timbre farmers. And this money is not remitted into the state government’s purse.”

    She lamented that several complaints had been made to government agencies, ministries and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Pastor Akin Olotu, for assistance.

    It was learnt that the Association of Olus and Baales Ala/Akure Ofosu Forest Area had sent a “Save our soul” plea to the governor on February 28, lamenting that those government functionaries were rubbishing his people-centred policies.

    Adeolu, who vehemently opposed Indian hemp plantation in the reserves, said she had been the target of the illegal dealers, who influenced government officials to persecute her due to the inducement received from the former.

    According to her, “I was banned unjustly through a stop work order, preventing me from doing my legal business just because I resisted the plantation of cannabis on the farmland which we inherited from our fore-fathers.”

    He said the woman farmer leveled wrong allegations against the ministry to cover up all her illegal activities since she started the business.

    Adeolu however warned that the action of the government will have multiple effects on the society, stressing that if the forest is allowed to be destroyed by the criminals, the teeming youths who get legal means of livelihood therein would storm the streets.

    The aggrieved timber merchant shown the “Stop Work Order” paper from Ministry of Natural Resources, dated 21/03/2018 to our correspondent and alleged she was being victimized with trump-up charges.

    She lamented that her business worth millions of naira were rotten away in the forest‚.

    Mrs Adeolu urged Akeredolu to call his aide, Lawal and others who hide under government to give order, warning that the plantation of cannabis would not deplete the forest.

  • Jubilation as Buhari appoints Director for Owo Medical Centre.

    There was jubilation among workers of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, Ondo state at the weekend following the appointment of the new Medical Director, Dr. Liasu Ahmed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The news was greeted with wild jubilation by the staffers of the hospital who danced round the premises of the hospital.

    They hailed the President for appointing Ahmed as the new Medical Director of the hospital.

    Ahmed is not only a foundation staff of the hospita, he had equally acted as the Medical Director of the hospital for a while during which he was able to prove himself as an astute administrator.

    Members of Staff opined that with the choice of Dr. Ahmed as the Medical Director of the Centre, the hospital was poised to witness monumental development.

    They pledged their loyalty to the Medical Director and promised to support the new administration at all times.

    The Medical Director who addressed  the workers, thanked the president for the appointment and promised to justify his selection by putting his very best into the workings of his office.

    He hailed the staffers for their support and appreciated them for trooping out  massively to celebrate him.

    He assured them that he would operate an open door administration where every staffer of the hospital will be treated equally.

  • Ondo, NIMASA to develop waterways

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Thursday expressed the readiness of the state government to partner the Nigerian Maritime and Aviation Safety Agency ( NIMASA ) to develop the waterways in the state.

    Akeredolu, who  made this known in Akure during a courtesy visit to him  by a delegation from NIMASA,  said the waterways could serve as another major  means of travel in Nigeria.

    He said that the waterways in Nigeria had suffered a lot and were mostly clogged with water hyacinth, urging that  something could be done to clean them.

    “When the water hyacinth is properly harvested, it could be used for something else, even for biogas,” he said.

    Akeredolu further said the time had come to have a proper department for  maritime studies.

    “Most boats in our coastal areas were built by our people. They have mastered that art, they have skills and we can tap into it,” he said.

    Earlier, Rotimi Fasakin, Executive Director (Operations) of  NIMASA, said the visit was to leverage on the state’s efforts to make the waterways pollution-free.

    Fasakin said the visit was also to sensitise people in the riverside  areas  on security and adequate management of maritime space.

    He also promised to work on the possibility of making the  Araromi-Lagos route a reality  to enhance transportation on the waterways.

    “All these are geared toward making our impact felt in a larger dimension.

    “Ondo State constitutes a large portion of Nigeria’s expansive coastline, so it’s important that the state should be able to exploit the resources of the marine environment,” he said.

    NAN

  • APC chieftain urges FG to declare Akoko Land disadvantaged area

    Mr Olatunde Giwa-Daramola, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Akoko North-East Federal Constituency, Ondo State, has urged the Federal Government to declare the four local government areas in Akoko “disadvantaged areas’’.

    Giwa-Daramola, a retired Naval Commander, made the call while hosting a group of Akoko youths who paid him a solidarity visit in Akure.

    According him, the four local government areas in Akoko land cannot boast of any meaningful industrial, educational and commercial development impact of the government apart from police posts and the National Youth service Corps ( NYSC ) orientation camp.

    “The degrading environmental condition and lack of visible government presence in the area is appalling.

    “The long time institutionalised general neglect and poor representation of the area at both federal and state levels, suggest that Akoko has been excluded from the development agenda of the federation.

    Read Also: APC Scandinavia boss commends LASG policy on Orphanage homes

    “The Federal Government needs to act fast, while the Ondo State Government should consider the areas’ yearning for development as a matter of urgency.

    “My people are mainly farmers and lack good roads to take their farm produce to the cities; there are no factories to process their produce and that leaves so much to be desired,’’ he said in statement by one of his media aides.

    He appealed to the federal and state governments to establish a tertiary institution in the Ikare metropolis and an agriculture-based factories to alleviate the poor conditions of the people.

    Giwa, who is a former Commodore of the Nigeria Navy Sailing Club, resolved to partner with the government to bring accelerated development to the area.

    NAN

  • Man in court over alleged theft of trousers worth N65,000

    A 28 year-old man, Ovie Ipesu, was on Wednesday arraigned by the police  in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged theft of jeans trousers valued N65,000.

    The defendant, of no fixed address is standing trial on a two-count charge of felony and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendant on March 7 with one other  now  at large at Lebi Street, in Okitipupa  unlawfully entered into a boutique belonging to one Temitope Ogunlade to commit felony.

    He said that the defendant with the other accomplice stole 13 pieces of Gucci jeans trousers, but the defendant was later apprehended by the police, while the others escaped.

    Read  Also:   Ondo governorship: Akeredolu, Abraham return to court

    The offences were contrary and punishable under Sections 516 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo state  2006.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.

    The Magistrate, Mr Chris Ojuola, granted the defendant bail of N50, 000 and a surety in like sum with evidence of a year tax clearance.

    He adjourned the case until April 23 for further hearing.
    NAN

     

  • Lassa fever: ODSG donates medical items to FMC, Owo

    Ondo State Government has donated medical items to Federal Medical Centre, Owo for improved healthcare service delivery against Lassa fever.

    Dr Wahab Adegbenro, the Commissioner for Health, made the donation on behalf of the state government to the management of the FMC in Owo on Tuesday.

    Adegbeenro said the gesture was to appreciate FMC and its strides in tackling the menace of Lassa fever in the state.

    Our reporter  reports that the items donated include; 560 pieces of personal protective equipment, 1,000 surgical gloves, 500 hand gloves, 800 hand sanitisers and 60 bottles of hand wash and 500 thermometers.

    The commissioner said the materials were meant to be used by health workers to forestall contagion of the disease.

    “About two months ago, we were in a serious problem because the Lassa fever was ravaging the state but now the siege is over,” he said.”

    The commissioner said the materials were meant for better management of healthcare services.

    He also said that the items were donated as part of the state government’s supporting gesture to the FMC in discharging its duties.
    “We are going to put machinery in motion to ensure we do not record outbreak again.

    “I thank FMC, Owo for rendering invaluable healthcare services to people of the state,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Govt to get Lassa fever vaccine

    The commissioner, who said the state government would build a laboratory to handle test cases, called on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assist the state government to ensure the success of the proposed project.

    Also speaking at the presentation, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, the Executive Secretary, Ondo State Primary HealthCare Development Board (PHCDB) thanked FMC and WHO for their efforts during the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

    Akanbiemu said the state government thought it wise to support the centre in fighting Lassa in case management, hence the gesture, adding that the items donated had passed through integrity test.

    In his remarks, Dr Akinola Fatiregun, the state WHO Coordinator, promised that the organisation would continue to partner with the state government and other health facilities to ensure quality healthcare delivery.

    “I am happy that the FMC took up the challenge to fight Lassa fever and WHO will continue to support the stakeholders in the healthcare sector, to control outbreak of the disease,’’ he said.

    Fatiregun, however, urged the state government to coordinate activities of donor agencies for enhanced healthcare services to the people.

  • Police arraign man in court for burglary

    The police, on Thursday, arraigned a 23- year-old man, Soji Foyeku, in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court, Ondo State, for alleged burglary and theft of mobile phones worth N60,000.

    The defendant, who is of no fixed address, is standing trial on a two-count charge of burglary and theft.

    The Police Prosecutor, Insp Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant on March 3, around 1:30 a.m. at Idepe in Okitipupa, entered the house of one Shola Akinfola to steal two android Nokia and Tecno camera phones valued N30,000 each.

    He said that the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections, 412 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

    Magistrate Banji Ayeomoni, in his ruling, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum.

    He added that the surety must produce evidence of a year tax clearance as part of the bail condition.

    The court, however adjourned the case to April 13 for further hearing.

    NAN